This post is based on the poster The Role of Schools of Record in Study Abroad Programs: Practices, Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities, by Prof. Dr. Miguel Buñuel, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Prof. Buñuel will present his poster at NAFSA 2025, in San Diego, USA, where the important role of a School of Record partnership will be discussed. All rights of the poster and this post belong to Prof. Buñuel.
1. INTRODUCTION
Understanding the School of Record (SoR) Model in Study Abroad
As global student mobility increases, ensuring academic credit transfer becomes a critical component of successful study abroad experiences. One of the mechanisms that facilitates this is the School of Record (SoR) model—a solution particularly relevant for study abroad programs offered by non-accredited providers.
To better understand the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the School of Record model, we conducted a survey among professionals in the international education community—both in the United States and abroad. The survey gathered insights on the perceived benefits and challenges of SoR partnerships, factors influencing the selection of SoR institutions or providers, and levels of awareness of the model outside the U.S. The findings, summarized in this post, shed light on the evolving role of Schools of Record in global academic mobility.
What Is a School of Record (SoR)?
A School of Record is an accredited higher education institution that issues official academic transcripts for students who participate in study abroad programs not directly affiliated with an accredited university. The SoR is responsible for formally reviewing and validating the academic integrity of the provider’s courses, ensuring they meet recognized academic standards. This enables students to transfer credits to their home institutions with greater ease and legitimacy.
Two Main Models of Academic Credit Transfer
Study abroad providers typically rely on one of two models to ensure their students receive academic credit:
1. Direct Enrollment Model
In this model, the study abroad provider partners with a local accredited university, allowing its students to enroll in courses organized and taught by that university. The courses are offered directly by the institution, and the students receive transcripts issued by the university, which are then used for credit transfer at their home institution.
2. School of Record Model
Alternatively, the study abroad provider designs and delivers its own courses independently. These courses are then submitted for review and approval by an accredited institution acting as a School of Record. While the SoR does not teach or deliver the courses, it is responsible for reviewing curricula, faculty credentials, and academic quality. Upon validation, the SoR issues official transcripts, supporting credit recognition by students’ home institutions.
2. SURVEY: RESPONDENT PROFILE
A total of 28 professionals in international education participated in the survey. The majority (17) represented U.S.-based higher education institutions, followed by 9 from non-U.S. universities, and 2 from U.S. study abroad providers. Most respondents held administrative roles (19), while 8 identified as managers and 1 as a faculty member.
Among the U.S.-based respondents, slightly more than half (10 out of 19) had direct experience with a School of Record relationship. In contrast, none of the 9 non-U.S. respondents reported that a similar model existed in their countries. These respondents came from institutions in Italy, Turkey, Denmark, France, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Interestingly, only 3 of the 9 non-U.S. participants were familiar with the School of Record concept prior to the survey, underscoring the limited international awareness of this U.S.-based model.
3. SURVEY RESULTS: CURRENT PRACTICES
3.1) Perceived Benefits of a School of Record Partnership
Survey participants were asked to rate the importance of various potential benefits associated with School of Record (SoR) partnerships using a four-point scale: Very Important (3), Somewhat Important (2), Not Very Important (1), Not Important at All (0). The average scores highlight the perceived value of SoR relationships from both the provider and institutional perspectives.
Benefits for Study Abroad Providers:
- Increased enrollment due to easier credit transfer (Average score: 2.40)
This was rated the most important benefit, indicating that streamlined credit recognition is a significant factor in expanding student participation. - Enhanced prestige and reputation via quality assurance (2.11)
Seen as moderately important, reputation enhancement through association with an accredited institution adds value to provider programs. - Expanded access to international students through credit recognition (2.04)
Respondents valued the potential for attracting a broader, global student base thanks to improved credit transfer mechanisms.
Benefits for Accredited Institutions Acting as a School of Record:
- Advancing institutional visibility and reputation through partnerships (Average score: 2.18)
The highest-rated benefit for accredited institutions, showing that strategic partnerships are seen as a way to enhance international standing. - Generating revenue through transcript service fees (2.04)
Moderately important, financial incentives remain a relevant, though secondary, consideration. - Gaining privileged access for their own students to high-quality programs (1.86)
Although beneficial, this aspect was considered less critical compared to visibility and financial returns.
3.2) Challenges to Implementation of a School of Record Partnership
Participants were also asked to evaluate the significance of various challenges that may arise in the implementation of a School of Record (SoR) partnership, again using the same four-point scale: Very Significant (3), Somewhat Significant (2), Not Very Significant (1), Not Significant at All (0). The results highlight practical and operational concerns faced by both study abroad providers and accredited institutions.
Challenges for Study Abroad Providers
- Coordination with the accredited institution (Average score: 2.50)
The most significant challenge identified, reflecting the complexity of aligning institutional processes and expectations. - Ensuring academic quality and integrity of programs (2.46)
Closely following, this underscores the importance of maintaining high standards that meet the requirements of the SoR. - Cost of SoR services (2.21)
While still notable, financial cost was viewed as slightly less critical than quality and coordination concerns.
Challenges for Accredited Institutions Acting as a School of Record
- Ensuring academic quality and integrity of the programs (Average score: 2.75)
This emerged as the most significant concern, emphasizing the institution’s responsibility for quality assurance before granting academic credit. - Coordination with the non-accredited provider (2.50)
Inter-organizational collaboration was also seen as a substantial challenge, mirroring concerns on the provider side. - Administrative burden of managing transcripts (2.36)
Although slightly lower in ranking, the operational workload involved in transcripting and record-keeping remains a considerable obstacle.
3.3) Criteria for Selecting a Partner
Survey respondents were asked to assess the importance of various factors considered when selecting a School of Record (SoR) or a study abroad provider for such a partnership. These evaluations help identify what institutions prioritize in establishing successful and sustainable collaborations. Responses were rated on a four-point scale: Very Important (3), Somewhat Important (2), Not Very Important (1), Not Important at All (0). In addition, open responses provided further context on considerations shaping these partnerships.
Key Factors for Study Abroad Providers When Selecting a School of Record:
- Accreditation standards of the institution (Average score: 2.50)
The highest priority, reflecting the importance of working with a well-recognized and compliant academic partner. - Academic reputation of the accredited institution (2.32)
Reputation matters, especially when facilitating credit transfer and gaining trust from home institutions. - Cost-effectiveness of the SoR partnership (2.29)
Financial sustainability remains an important consideration in evaluating potential partners. - Previous collaboration or relationship with the institution (1.89)
While valued, prior collaboration ranked lower than institutional quality and affordability.
Additional Qualitative Factor:
- Turnaround time for recording work and ease of students obtaining transcripts
Efficiency and clarity in transcript processing were emphasized as critical to a positive student experience.
Key Factors for Accredited Institutions When Selecting a Study Abroad Provider:
- Quality of the programs offered by the provider (Average score: 2.60)
This was the top-rated factor, underscoring a strong commitment to academic excellence. - Course content and academic rigor of the programs (2.50)
Closely aligned with program quality, this criterion reflects the SoR’s responsibility to uphold standards before awarding credit. - Potential revenue from the partnership (2.25)
While not insignificant, financial incentives were secondary to academic considerations. - Previous collaboration or relationship with the provider (2.00)
Existing relationships were moderately important but not decisive compared to quality assurance metrics.
Additional Qualitative Factors:
- Overall reputation of the provider
Respondents noted the importance of a provider’s record on student well-being, safety, and support services. - Mission and program alignment
Institutional fit, such as shared educational goals, plays a role in partnership decisions. - Operational flexibility and localization
Some institutions value providers who can “delocalize” accredited teaching by offering facilities and legal frameworks abroad. This can allow a university to run its own programs through a provider’s infrastructure—essential in regions where direct institutional presence is limited.
4. SURVEY RESULTS: SCHOOL OF RECORD PERCEPTIONS AND TRENDS
Growing Demand?
We asked respondents whether they believe the demand for Schools of Record (SoR) is increasing in international education. Results were mixed, reflecting both optimism and uncertainty about future trends. While nearly half of respondents see rising demand, the large number of uncertain responses suggests a need for greater clarity and shared understanding of the SoR model across the field.
What Should Evolve in SoR Practices?
Respondents also shared ideas for innovations and improvements in the School of Record model. The suggestions reflect a desire for increased transparency, affordability, consistency, and operational efficiency:
- Reasonable per-student cost: Lowering costs for students and providers is a recurring theme.
- Better credit translation: Aligning SoR credit equivalencies (e.g., U.S. semester credits vs. ECTS) with industry standards.
- Streamlined transcript delivery: Making the process smoother and less bureaucratic.
- Greater transparency: Clear guidelines on how SoR partnerships operate, how courses are validated, and what students and institutions can expect.
- Increased education and collaboration: Many practitioners expressed a need for more shared knowledge on how to set up SoR relationships.
- Consistent academic recording: Standardization in how course content is documented for transfer purposes.
- Secure electronic data transfer: A call for easier, digital systems for transcript and student data exchange.
- Community dialogue: More opportunities for collective discussion about SoR best practices and standards.
- Automation and standard frameworks: Introducing more systematic and scalable models for quality assurance.
- Clearer distinction between models: Some noted the importance of differentiating study abroad through providers vs. traditional student exchange programs, each with its own strengths and limitations.
These insights emphasize the field’s appetite for innovation, along with a shared recognition that Schools of Record play a growing, yet evolving, role in international education.
5. SURVEY RESULTS: FOCUS ON SPAIN
Is Spain a Good Fit for a School of Record Partnership?
Spain continues to be a highly attractive study abroad destination—and this is reflected in the survey results. When asked whether Spain would be an ideal location to establish a School of Record (SoR) partnership, respondents showed a strong level of interest. This indicates both enthusiasm and curiosity about the potential of SoR partnerships in Spain, though many institutions may still require further information or assurances before committing.
What Factors Influence the Decision to Partner in Spain?
Respondents identified a diverse range of academic, operational, and contextual considerations when evaluating the prospect of serving as a School of Record for a Spanish provider. These include:
Academic Fit and Quality
- Types of courses offered and their relevance to institutional curricula
- Program quality and alignment with institutional learning and assessment outcomes
- English-language instruction and faculty qualifications
- Potential for credit equivalency with home institution standards
Operational Feasibility
- Existing or previous relationships with the provider
- Clear communication, administrative support, and service reliability
- Institutional willingness to meet deadlines and utilize U.S. data systems
- Regulatory compliance and clarity of contractual terms
Strategic Considerations
- Spain’s continued popularity among study abroad destinations
- International accreditations and global visibility
- Cost-effectiveness of the partnership for all stakeholders
- Institutional culture and openness to collaboration
Some respondents shared specific challenges encountered in past or current partnerships—such as difficulties with Spanish faculty adhering to U.S. academic calendars or administrative systems—highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and structured agreements.
6. CONCLUSIONS
General Conclusions
- Schools of Record (SoRs) play a crucial role in supporting the integrity of global education by enabling credit transfer for study abroad programs delivered by non-accredited providers. This ensures that students’ international academic experiences are recognized and can count toward their degrees.
- SoR partnerships serve as an essential bridge between study abroad providers and students’ home institutions, helping translate diverse educational experiences into formally recognized academic credit.
- At the heart of the SoR model is a commitment to academic quality assurance. SoRs review and validate faculty credentials, course content, teaching methods, and assessment standards to ensure programs meet the expectations of accredited institutions.
- By formalizing credit validation, SoRs help legitimize and standardize non-traditional study abroad models, such as short-term or customized programs. This expands access to meaningful international learning while maintaining academic rigor.
International Awareness and Practices
- Many non-U.S. respondents were unfamiliar with the School of Record (SoR) concept, revealing a notable knowledge gap in the global international education landscape.
- Most international participants indicated that no formal SoR structure exists in their countries to validate credits from non-accredited study abroad providers—though a few parallels may exist.
- The SoR model appears to be primarily a U.S.-based practice, with few institutional equivalents operating formally elsewhere.
- This limited global awareness presents both a challenge and an opportunity: a challenge in terms of establishing international partnerships, and an opportunity to educate and engage global peers in adopting or adapting the model.
- International relations offices worldwide could benefit from professional development and shared dialogue around SoRs as a mechanism for academic credit assurance, particularly as the demand for flexible and innovative global learning options continues to grow.
Main Survey Results at a Glance
- 📈 Top Benefit for Study Abroad Providers:
Increased enrollment through easier credit transfer, making programs more attractive to students and home institutions. - 🌐 Top Benefit for Accredited Institutions Serving as a SoR:
Enhanced institutional visibility and reputation through trusted international partnerships. - ⚠️ Top Shared Challenge:
Both providers and institutions cited coordination between partners and ensuring academic quality and integrity as the most significant implementation barriers. - 🧭 Key Selection Criteria for Study Abroad Providers Choosing a SoR: Academic reputation of the SoR institution; Accreditation standards; Cost-effectiveness of the partnership.
- 🏫 Key Selection Criteria for Accredited Institutions Choosing a Provider: Quality of programs offered by the provider; Academic rigor and content of courses
These findings reflect a strong mutual interest in maintaining academic standards, operational efficiency, and strategic collaboration in School of Record partnerships.
Conclusions on Spain
- Spain remains a top destination for U.S. and international students studying abroad, thanks to its rich academic, cultural, and linguistic offerings.
- Direct enrollment in Spanish universities is likely the most appropriate model for semester- or year-long programs, given the academic strength and global reputation of Spain’s higher education institutions. For instance, all Madrid public universities are Top Global Universities:
- For shorter academic experiences, such as summer schools or customized short-term courses, the School of Record (SoR) model offers a flexible and effective alternative to ensure academic credit transfer and maintain academic integrity.
Case Example: SpaCIE – Spain Center for International Education
SpaCIE positions itself as an ideal partner for SoR collaboration—particularly for U.S. institutions seeking academically rigorous, internationally diverse short-term programs in Madrid, Spain.
- ✅ Academic Rigor
All courses are university-level, designed and delivered by experienced faculty and professionals with recognized academic and professional credentials. - 🌍 Global Outlook
SpaCIE fosters an intercultural environment by hosting students from around the world, where U.S. students are a minority and no single nationality dominates. - 🧩 Curricular Flexibility
SpaCIE offers the ability to design, adapt, or co-create academic programs to meet the needs of institutional partners and their student cohorts. - 🤝 Commitment to SoR Collaboration
SpaCIE is prepared to engage in a School of Record relationship, ensuring: Transparency; Academic quality assurance; Alignment with partner institutions’ credit and curriculum standards.
✅ Interested in Partnering with SpaCIE as our School of Record?
Download here SpaCIE’s Call for a School of Record Partnership
Are you a University or College looking to expand your short-term study abroad offerings with high-quality academic programs in Madrid?
At SpaCIE – Spain Center for International Education, we are actively exploring School of Record (SoR) partnerships with accredited universities and colleges to support credit recognition for our academically rigorous, internationally diverse programs.
The main strengths of a SoR partnership with SpaCIE include:
✅ Academic rigor: All courses are university-level, developed and taught by faculty and practitioners with recognized expertise and academic credentials. SpaCIE courses prioritize depth and quality over “academic tourism.”
🌍 Global outlook: SpaCIE hosts students from across the globe, with no single nationality predominating—U.S. or any other country’s students are a minority, ensuring a rich intercultural environment.
🧩 Curricular flexibility and tailored collaboration: SpaCIE can develop or adapt high-quality academic programs in coordination with partner institutions. We could co-develop innovative programs.
🤝 Willingness to engage in a SoR partnership, with a commitment to transparency, quality assurance, and academic alignment.
🏫 Opportunity for Recruiting Bright Spanish High-School Students for the SoR’s bachelor programs: Acting as SpaCIE’s SoR raises the opportunity for your university of recruiting great applicants for your bachelor programs at home through SpaCIE’s Pre-University Summer School.
📩 Let’s connect!
If your institution is open to a conversation about serving as a School of Record—or if you’d like to learn more about our programs—please reach out to us directly:
📧 info@spacie.education
Together, we can expand access to meaningful, credit-worthy study abroad experiences in Spain.
